http://www.warmsoles.co.uk/12v_weatherproof_bulkheads-827.html.
The CFL bulbs (get the 'white' light ones) are very bright - an 11w CFL bulb has the same light output as a 60w incandecant bulb; if its cold they can take a minute or so to really brighten up, but I would honestly recommend them over anything else; I have tried some 12v fluorescent strip lamp things and they were rubbish - really dull and yellow light! CFL bulbs are also energy efficient/long lasting.
Setting up the system
Someone recommend to me the following site and I found it really useful when planning and actually wiring up the system, there are example wiring diagrams (the system shown includes a solar panel, if you don't have one like me, simply wire straight to the first bulb:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Put-Together-a...ghting-Kit.htm I have also noticed that the warm soles site sells some lighting kits and there are some PDF wiring instructions on there which people may find useful.
I rigged my system all up myself. I got some croc clips from Halfords and attached one to each of the cable wires that I had split down at one end to expose the seperate positive and negative cores using electrical insulating tape. I leave one clip permanently attached to one battery terminal and then attach the other when I want light.
I tried a 12v switch however for some reason it was really temperamental - sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. I spoke to someone else who had the same experience, so I decided to not bother on the basis its better knowing you will definately have light, rather than having to fiddle around in the dark because your switch isn't functioning!! My battery is locked away in my feed room and I have a little hit light from homebase that runs off of 2 AA batteries - I turn that on so I can avoid any buckets lying around until I have my battery on - it takes me 2 seconds to turn it on.
When wiring up your system, take note that the bulb holders will have a positive and negative terminal to them, and you need to ensure you get the correct wire to each - sounds obvious but my bulb holders were not actually marked so it was a case of seeing if it worked and if it didn't swapping them around.
Charging
My set up needs charging once every four weeks so its not really much of a hindrance - I use my lights roughly 30 mins in the morning and an hour max at night weekdays, and generally not at all over the weekend. I got my charger from ebay - I shopped around on the specialist sites to find the best one for me (you need to get one that can cope with the AH of the battery), then found it on e-bay for half the price!
Also, I painted my stables and feed room white this summer to brighten it up a bit, and this has really enhanced the capability of my lighting system by making everything so much brighter.
If anyone is unsure of anything before buying, or has any questions when setting up a system, feel free to drop me a pm, more than happy to help.
Hope that helps everyone!!
Alex xx
p.s. I will try and get a picture of my yard lit up at night!